Eight matches in, Panther volleyball has lost just a single set.
Having earned their first Mountain Seven win over East Henderson five days before, on the week of Aug. 27 Franklin entered the heart of their conference schedule. In straight-set routs of Tuscola and Pisgah, the Panthers improved to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the Mountain Seven.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27 the team traveled to Tuscola to face the 3-3 Mountaineers. After twice beating the Mounties in straight sets last fall, Franklin shot out of the gate once again in Waynesville, winning eight of the first 11 points behind strong defense from McKayla Sanders. Despite an early Mountie timeout Franklin continued to dominate the match, winning the first set 25-13 behind seven points from Ryan Green.
The Panthers kept their foot on the gas in the second, winning the first six points including four straight aces from Emma Ledford. Despite another early Mountie timeout, Franklin cruised to a 25-15 win behind three kills from Kyrah Bowles.
Tuscola regrouped to start the third set, dropping five of the first six points but roaring back to take a 13-11 lead. Franklin soon quashed the comeback attempt however, getting three more points from Bowles en route to a 25-19 win.
After dispatching Tuscola, two nights later the team returned to Tom Raby Court to take on 3-4 Pisgah. In a rematch of two straight-set Panther victories last fall, Franklin again looked like the better team at home, taking an early 10-5 lead behind two points apiece from Bowles and Ella Raby. Sophomore Danni Ledford heated up down the stretch, posting two kills, two blocks and an impressive dig to help close out a 25-17 first-set win.
Pisgah came out firing to start the second, winning nine of the first 13 points to force an early Panther timeout. Slowly Franklin clawed their way back however, getting three straight points from freshman Bristol Brooks to help tie the set at 13. From there the Panthers continued their momentum, getting two points apiece from Brooks and Raby to win 25-19.
Both teams looked evenly matched to start the third, sitting tied at 10 despite three kills from Green. Green soon turned red-hot however, capping another superb night with five straight points to help win the set 25-20.
In eight matches so far this season Franklin has won seven in straight sets, losing just a single set to Hayesville 25-18. For the second straight year the Panthers seem to be on a collision course with West Henderson, whom they narrowly beat for the Mountain Seven title last fall. Franklin continued their conference schedule versus North Henderson after press time Sept. 3.